Window regulator mechanism

ABSTRACT

A window regulator mechanism to lower or raise a window panel, the window panel being divided into separately movable ventilation and visibility sections. The window regulator mechanism comprises a mounting plate and a first and a second gear sector rotatably mounted in superimposed relationship on a common pivot shaft journalled in the mounting plate intermediate the ends of the latter. A first regulator arm is fixed to the first gear sector and the second regulator arm is fixed to the second gear sector, each regulator arm being swingable about the axis of the pivot shaft and being coupled to a respective one of the panel sections for raising and lowering the latter in response to independent rotation of the gear sectors.

United States Patent [1 1 Ladd et al. June 24, 1975 WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM Primary ExaminerKenneth Downey [75] Inventors: Floyd N. Ladd Warren; Donald Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn J. Roethel; Keith L.

Stacy, Plymouth, both of Mich. Zerschhng [73] Assignee: Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, [57] ABSTRACT Mlch' A window regulator mechanism to lower or raise a [22] Filed: Apr. 3, 1974 window panel, the window panel being divided into separately movable ventilation and visibility sections. [21] Appl' 457534 The window regulator mechanism comprises a mounting plate and a first and a second gear sector rotatably 52 US. Cl. 49/350; 49/353; 49/374 mounted in superimposed relationship on e commen 51 Int. cm E05F 11/44 pivot shaft jeurnalled in the mounting plate intermedi- [58] Fi ld of S h 49/3 50, 348 136 144 ate the ends of the latter. A first regulator arm is fixed 49/168 103 374 375 353 to the first gear sector and the second regulator arm is I fixed to the second gear sector, each regulator arm 5 R feren Ci being swingable about the axis of the pivot shaft and UNITED STATES PATENTS being coupled to a respective one of the panel sections I 800 001 4 1931 A k 49/350 for raising and lowering the latter in response to inde- 1960601 551934 slim???:111:11:jiiiiiijiiiiiiii'as/m X Pendent rotation of the gear 7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Pat. No. 1,770,747 issued July 15, 1930 to William D. Crowell disclosed a vehicle ventilation system in which the front door window panels were divided into independently movable sections so that the forward and somewhat smaller section could be lowered to provide a desired amount of ventilation or exhaust opening. In the Crowell disclosure, each window panel section is operable by an independent window regulator mechanism and each panel section is guided within fixed guide bars including a fixed division bar between the two panel sections.

U. S. Pat. No. 3,659,381 issued May 2, 1972 to S. M. Frey ct al. represents an updated version of the Crowell system. In the Frey et al system a single window regulator mechanism is utilized to lower or raise the two window panel sections. Movement of the two sections from a fully raised to a fully lowered position or vice-versa is always sequential. That is, from a fully raised position the ventilation or exhaust section must be first fully lowered before the main or large panel section may be lowered. Conversely, from the fully lowered position the large panel must be fully raised before upward movement of the ventilation or exhaust system can occur. On occasion, the sequential movement system may be objectionable. At times it may be desired to lower the main panel section without lowering the ventilation section or without having to wait for the ventilation section to complete its downward movement.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dual function window regulator mechanism constructed and arranged to be operable to move either section of the window panel in raised or lowered direction independently of the other section. This is the principal of operation of the Crowell disclosure, but it is an object of the present invention to accomplish this without having to utilize two separate and wholly independent regulator mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a window regulator mechanism adapted to lower or raise a window panel into or out of a Window well, the window panel being vertically divided into separately movable ventilation and visibility sections. The window regulator mechanism comprises an elongated mounting plate, a first gear sector freely rotatably mounted on a pivot shaft journalled in the mounting plate intermediate the ends of the latter and a first regulator arm fixed to the first gear sector and coupled to the ventilation section for raising and lowering the latter in response to rotation of the first gear sector. A second gear sector is mounted on the pivot shaft and is coupled to the latter for rotation therewith. A second regulator arm is fixed to the second gear sector and coupled to the visibility section for raising and lowering the latter in response to rota tion of the second gear sector. Independent first and second drive means are located at opposite ends of the mounting plate and are coupled to the first and second gear sectors, respectively, for rotating the latter to independently lower and raise the window panel sections.

The respective gear sectors are rotatable in opposed directions to counter-swing the regulator arms in respective window panel section lowering or raising directions in response to independent rotation of the first and second drive means in a common direction of rotation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the window regulator mechanism embodying the present invention shown coupled to the guide means for guiding lowering and raising movement ofa section of a vehicle door window panel; and

FIG. 2 is a semi-diagrammatic view of the window regulator mechanism in relationship to the divided sections of a vehicle door window panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, there is illustrated a window regulator mechanism, generally designated 10. The window regulator mechanism is adapted to lower or raise a window panel into or out ofa window well of a vehicle door. Reference may be made to the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,381, see FIG. 1, for an exemplification of the relationship of the window panel to the vehicle door.

In FIG. 2 of the present application, the window panel is shown divided into a small forward ventilation or exhaust section 11 and a larger main or visibility section 12. The window regulator 10 comprises an elongated mounting plate 13 carrying a pivot shaft 14 journalled in a conventional manner in the mounting plate intermediate the ends of the latter. The mounting plate 13 is adapted to be bolted to an inner door panel (not shown) by mounting bolts 15. The mounting plate 13 is positioned beneath the panel section 12 adjacent the division between the two panel sections 11-12 with its longitudinal axis extending generally in the same direction as the division line between the panel sections.

A first gear sector 16 is freely rotatably mounted on the pivot shaft 14. A first regulator arm 17 is fixed to the gear sector 16 and is coupled at its free end 18 to the ventilation section 11. The free end 18 of the arm 17 carries a slide member (not visible) secured to the arm on a pivot stud 19. The slide member is slidable in a channel 21 secured to the panel section 1 1. The channel 21 is coupled to a bracket 22 slidable on spaced guide rods 23-24 adapted to be secured to the inner door panel by suitable mounting brackets 25-26, respectively.

A second gear sector 27 somewhat larger than the gear sector 16 is mounted on the pivot shaft 14 in superimposed relation to the first gear sector 16 and the end of the regulator arm 17 fixed to the gear sector 16. A second regulator arm 28 is fixed to the second gear sector 27. The free end 29 of the arm 28 is coupled by a slide (not visible) slidable in a channel 31 secured to the panel section 12, the slide being secured to the arm on a pivot stud 32.

The pivot shaft 14 is coupled to the inner end 33 of a spiral regulator spring 34, the free end 35 of the spring being hooked on a lug 36 turned out of the mounting plate 13. The spring 34 functions to counterbalance the weight of the main panel section 12.

Each gear sector 16-27 is driven in window lowering and raising direction by an independent conventional window regulator pinion and clutch assembly 37 having a manual crank handle connected to the pinion shaft. The crank handle 38 for driving the gear sector 16 is somewhat shorter than the crank handle 39 for driving the gear sector 27, the length of each handle being proportional to the size of the panel section to be lowered or raised, as are the gear sectors 16 and 27.

As viewed in the drawings the respective gear sectors 16-27 are rotatable in opposed directions to counterswing the regulator arms 17 and 28 in respective window panel section lowering or raising directions in response to independent rotation of the crank handles 38 and 39 in a common direction of rotation. That is, upon rotation of the crank handle 38 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, the gear sector 16 is freely rotated about the pivot shaft 14 in a counterclockwise direction causing the arm 17 to be swung in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot shaft axis 14. This causes the ventilation section 11 to be moved downwardly along the guide rods 23-24. Movement of the ventilation section is independent of any movement of the main panel section 12. If it is desired to lower the main panel section 12, it is only necessary to rotate the crank handle 39 in a counterclockwise direction thereby driving the gear sector 27 in a clockwise direction about the pivot shaft 14 and causing the regulator arm 32 to be swung in a clockwise direction to lower the panel 12. Since the regulator arm 32 is coupled to the pivot shaft 14 and the pivot shaft is coupled to the clock spring 34, the spring 34 is wound up as the regulator arm 32 swings from a substantially upright position to a downwardly extending position. The increased energy stored in the spring 34 as a result of it being wound up assists in raising the panel 12 to a closed position upon rotation of the crank handle 39 in a counterclockwise direction.

As described, the window regulator mechanism provides a dual function window regulator mechanism constructed and arranged to be operable to move either section of the window panel in raised or lowered direction independently of the other section.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim: 1. A window regulator mechanism adapted to lower or raise a window panel into or out of a window well,

the window panel being vertically divided into separately movable ventilation and visibility sections, the window regulator mechanism comprising:

an elongated mounting plate,

a first gear sector freely rotatably mounted on a pivot shaft journalled in the mounting plate intermediate the ends of the latter,

a first regulator arm fixed to the first gear sector and coupled to the ventilation section for lowering and raising the latter in response to rotation of the first gear sector,

a second gear sector mounted on the pivot shaft and coupled to the latter for rotation therewith,

a second regulator arm fixed to the second gear sector and coupled to the visibility section for raising and lowering the latter in response to rotation of the second gear sector,

and independent first and second drive means located at opposite ends of the mounting plate and coupled to the first and second gear sectors, respectively, for rotating the latter to independently lower and raise the window panel sections.

2. A window regulator mechanism according to claim 1, in which:

the respective gear sectors are rotatable in opposed directions to counter-swing the regulator arms in respective window panel section lowering or raising directions in response to independent rotation of the first and second drive means in a common direction of rotation.

3. In combination, a window panel divided substantially vertically into a small ventilation section and a large visibility section,

and a window regulator mechanism for lowering and raising the window panel sections into and out of a window opening,

the window regulator mechanism comprising an elongated mounting plate positioned beneath the larger of the two panel sections adjacent the division therebetween with its longitudinal axis extending generally in the same direction as the division line between the panel sections,

a first and a second gear sector in superimposed relationship on a pivot shaft journalled in the mounting plate intermediate the ends of the latter,

a first regulator arm fixed to the first gear sector and a second regulator arm fixed to the second gear sector,

each regulator arm being swingable about the axis of the pivot shaft and being coupled to a respective one of the panel sections for lowering and raising the latter in response to rotation of the gear sector to which it is fixed,

and independent first and second drive means located at opposite ends of the mounting plate and coupled to the first and second gear sectors, respectively, for rotating the latter to independently lower and raise the window panel sections.

4. A vehicle body structure according to claim 3, in

which:

the first gear sector is freely rotatable about the pivot shaft and the second gear-sector is coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith,

and a counterbalance spring is coupled to the shaft to counterbalance the weight of the visibility section coupled to the second regulator arm.

5. A vehicle body structure according to claim 3, in

which:

the respective gear sectors are rotated in opposite directions about the pivot shaft axis to oppositely swing the regulator arms in respective window panel section lowering or raising directions in response to independent rotation of the first and second drive means in common directions of rotation.

6. A vehicle body structure according to claim 5, in which:

the first gear sector is freely rotatable about the pivot shaft and the second gear sector is coupled to the 'shaft for rotation therewith,

and the counterbalance spring is coupled to the shaft to counterbalance the weight of the window panel section coupled to the second regulator arm.

7. A vehicle body structure according to claim 6, in

which:

the second gear sector is somewhat larger than the first gear sector, the sizes of the gear sectors being proportional to the sizes of the respective visibility and ventilation sections of the window panel.

Notice of Adverse Decision in Interference In Interference No. 99,303, involving Patent No. 3,890,742, F. N. Ladd and D. G. Stacy, WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM, final judgment ad.- verse to the patentees was rendered Mar. 9, 1978, as to claims 3 and. 5.

[Oyficz'al Gazette August 8, 1.978.] 

1. A window regulator mechanism adapted to lower or raise a window panel into or out of a window well, the window panel being vertically divided into separately movable ventilation and visibility sections, the window regulator mechanism comprising: an elongated mounting plate, a first gear sector freely rotatably mounted on a pivot shaft journalled in the mounting plate intermediate the ends of the latter, a first regulator arm fixed to the first gear sector and coupled to the ventilation section for lowering and raising the latter in response to rotation of the first gear sector, a second gear sector mounted on the pivot shaft and coupled to the latter for rotation therewith, a second regulator arm fixed to the second gear sector and coupled to the visibility section for raising and lowering the latter in response to rotation of the second gear sector, and independent first and second drive means located at opposite ends of the mounting plate and coupled to the first and second gear sectors, respectively, for rotating the latter to independently lower and raise the window panel sections.
 2. A window regulator mechanism according to claim 1, in which: the respective gear sectors are rotatable in opposed directions to counter-swing the regulator arms in respective window panel section lowering or raising directions in response to independent rotation of the first and second drive means in a common direction of rotation.
 3. In combination, a window panel divided substantially vertically into a small ventilation section and a large visibility section, and a window regulator mechanism for lowering and raising the window panel sections into and out of a window opEning, the window regulator mechanism comprising an elongated mounting plate positioned beneath the larger of the two panel sections adjacent the division therebetween with its longitudinal axis extending generally in the same direction as the division line between the panel sections, a first and a second gear sector in superimposed relationship on a pivot shaft journalled in the mounting plate intermediate the ends of the latter, a first regulator arm fixed to the first gear sector and a second regulator arm fixed to the second gear sector, each regulator arm being swingable about the axis of the pivot shaft and being coupled to a respective one of the panel sections for lowering and raising the latter in response to rotation of the gear sector to which it is fixed, and independent first and second drive means located at opposite ends of the mounting plate and coupled to the first and second gear sectors, respectively, for rotating the latter to independently lower and raise the window panel sections.
 4. A vehicle body structure according to claim 3, in which: the first gear sector is freely rotatable about the pivot shaft and the second gear sector is coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith, and a counterbalance spring is coupled to the shaft to counterbalance the weight of the visibility section coupled to the second regulator arm.
 5. A vehicle body structure according to claim 3, in which: the respective gear sectors are rotated in opposite directions about the pivot shaft axis to oppositely swing the regulator arms in respective window panel section lowering or raising directions in response to independent rotation of the first and second drive means in common directions of rotation.
 6. A vehicle body structure according to claim 5, in which: the first gear sector is freely rotatable about the pivot shaft and the second gear sector is coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith, and the counterbalance spring is coupled to the shaft to counterbalance the weight of the window panel section coupled to the second regulator arm.
 7. A vehicle body structure according to claim 6, in which: the second gear sector is somewhat larger than the first gear sector, the sizes of the gear sectors being proportional to the sizes of the respective visibility and ventilation sections of the window panel. 